5 High Caffeine Snack Foods That Can Replace Coffee

When 3 p.m. rolls around, do you find yourself holding back yawns and struggling to stay awake? If so, you can easily fight off your middle-of-the-day fatigue by preparing caffeinated snacks that contain coffee beans, instant coffee, and tea. The next time you find yourself in a mid-afternoon slump, reach for these five recipes — they’ll provide you with the perfect pick-me-up.

1. Hazelnut Mocha Trail Mix

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Nuts, raisins, white chocolate chips, and chocolate-covered coffee beans create an afternoon treat that will leave you feeling alert and energetic. In addition, java lovers will appreciate the rich coffee flavors radiating throughout the trail mix. The Wannabe Chef says this recipe “has bitterness from the coffee beans, sweetness from the white chocolate and raisins, and a rich nuttiness from the hazelnuts and almonds.”

Coffee beans do much more than simply perk you up; they also provide you with an assortment of health benefits. Livestrong explains that coffee might reduce the risk for several diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver and prostate cancer. Sounds like a satisfying and healthy way to stay awake!

2. Cappuccino Chip Granola Bars

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Sugar-filled, store-bought granola bars are no match for Cappuccino Chip Granola Bars, which consist of eight simple ingredients. Inside Bru Crew Life notes that “adding coffee and cocoa powder to these no bake granola bars gives them a delicious mocha flavor.” These bars work wonderfully as a snack and can also be enjoyed for breakfast.

To prepare these easy-to-make bars, combine coffee, cocoa powder, melted butter, and honey. Then, stir in the oats, cocoa Rice Krispies cereal, and the chocolate chips. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a great granola bar that will keep you going all day.

3. Coffee-Flavored Popcorn Balls

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Popcorn, sugar, instant coffee, and butter create a caffeinated snack that will help you power through your afternoon to-do list. The best part? You can prepare Coffee-Flavored Popcorn Balls in no time at all. Once you pop your kernels, you’ll melt the sugar, instant coffee, and butter in a saucepan. Pour the mixture over the popcorn, stirring quickly, and then shape the balls with well-greased hands.

If you only want a touch of coffee flavor, Practical Savings suggests cutting “down the instant coffee by half or so. Also, I didn’t try it with this batch but if you really really like coffee flavor, try adding some instant granules to the popcorn just after adding the sugar mixture.”

4. Chai Latte Granola

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When hunger strikes, Chai Latte Granola will fill you up and give you a great boost of energy. Filled with warm and cozy spices, Amy’s Healthy Baking’s recipe is nutritious, delicious, and easy to make: “You only need 7 ingredients for this super simple recipe–most of which you already stash in your pantry and fridge!”

Similar to coffee, chai tea is also chock-full of health benefits. Jillian Michaels explains that it is rich in antioxidants and typically contains several nutritious spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. For those struggling with midday fatigue, this granola is a must-make!

5. Chocolate-Covered Coffee Bean Cookies

Snap out of your slump and keep your sweet tooth happy by preparing Chocolate-Covered Coffee Bean Cookies. Filled with almond meal, coconut oil, honey, pecans, and coffee beans, Real Healthy Recipes’ cookies are a “fun way to get a little dash of caffeine and that delicious coffee bean taste.”

Coffee beans aren’t the only energizing ingredient in this snack. My Food Body Mind notes that nuts such as pecans can also give you an energy boost. They’re a great source of protein, which provides a slow and steady energy release in addition to omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient that provides energy to your muscles and organs.